“Quorum sensing” in human groups

#3 in a series related to a live event script on values

“Quorum sensing” is a clumsy term scientists use to talk about ‘collective decision-making’ in bacteria and animals. Here’s is a digest version for Greens and Progressives.

For a long time in bio-chemistry, bacteria were believed to exist merely as individual cells seeking nutrients and multiplying. Around the year 2000, “quorum sensing” began to be studied.

Simply put, bacteria chemically message each other continually. When the population of a certain bacteria increases to a certain threshold, the intensity of messaging also crosses a threshold. The cross of a threshold of messaging activity is recognized by the entire groups. This triggers a group expression towards a shared group benefit.

In human terms, above a certain intensity of mutual messaging, bacteria recognize they are no longer “in the minority” in this area in this host. An intensity of mutual messaging tells them they are now so numerous, they can attack the host more forcefully towards a collective takeover of the host in these tissues.

Quorum sensing explains “virulence”

Quorum sensing is used to explain “virulence.” At an advanced stage of infection, the bacteria no longer act as separate solo organisms. They…